Cut-off-actuating mechanism for gas or electric light systems



(No Model.)

r P. W. COTTON. GUT-OFF AGTUATING MECHANISM FOR GAS 0R ELECTRIC LIGHT SYSTEMS- No. 546,090. Patented Sept. 10,1895.

jar/e7 z? flw zk @MA ANDREW BIGRAPIAM. PHOTOUTNOVWASNINGTDNZDLI.

NITED STATES PATENT FFICEE.

FREDERICK WV. COTTON, OF DEDHAM, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES M. REED, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CUT-OFF-ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR GAS R ELECTRIC LIGHT SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 546,090, dated September 10, 1895.

Application filed November 12, 1894. Serial No. 528,695. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: trolling-valve of a springler system known as Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. COT- the dry-pipesystem. The controlling mech- TON, of Dedham, county of Norfolk, State of anism of said system comprises a valve-casing Massachusetts, have invented an Improve- A, connected with the water-main by pipe A 55 ment in Cut-Off-Actuating Mechanism for and located in any convenient part of a build- Gas or Electric Light Systems, of which the ing, usually the basement or cellar. The casfollowing description, in connection with the ingAis connected by a pipeA with the sprinkaccompanying drawings, is a specification, ler-pipes, (not shown,) and a pipe A leads like letters and numerals on the drawings repfrom any suitable air-compressingdevice to 6 [O resenting like parts. 1 I t the casing A to maintain the sprinkler-pipe The escape of gas often aids in spreading filled with compressed air and also to retain the flames when fire breaks out before it can the usual valves in said casing seated under be cut off from the street-main, causing in normal conditions, a branch pipe A? leadingmany instances explosions and loss of life or to a valve-controlling diaphragm-chamber A 65 property, and in the case of electric lighting whereby sudden diminution of the air-pressit is desirable, for many reasons, to cut out ure by the opening of the sprinkler will rethe building promptly, a great many buildlease the valves in the casing in well-known ings being provided with one or both systems manner and open communication between of lighting. the supply-pipe A and the sprinkler system. 70 This invention has for its object the pro- 'In applying my invention for use in connecduction of means for cutting off the gas or tion with such a system I preferably connect the electric current, or both, from a building the motor to be described by a pipe or to the upon the breaking out of a fire therein, and air-chamber A of the valve-casing, and in the invention is particularly adapted for use said pipe I place a normally open valve a, 75 in connection with automatic sprinkler sys- (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1,) actuated by a tems, the cut-off mechanism being automati lever A jointed to its stern, said valve coucally controlled in such instances by the opstituting a shut-off, as will be described; eration of the sprinkler system. A switch S (shown as closed in full lines In accordance therewith my invention conand open by dotted lines) has its actuating- 80 o sists in a cut-oft-actuating mechanism for handle h coupled to a link of, connecting the building light systems of amain gas-valve, a shut-oft lever a and a controlling-lever a water-motor to close it, a supply pipe for the pivoted at of toasuitable support and adapted motor having a normally open shut-off thereto beturned upon its pivot by a spring 8 when in, a normally locked actuator connected to released. 5 and to close the shut-oft, and means operative The open end a of the pipe (1 is provided by the closure of the gas-valve to release said with an actuator (shown as a water-motor b actuator, whereby the shut-off is closed and in Figs. 1 and 2) of any desirable construction. the motor stopped, substantially as will be I have shown the shaft 12' of the motor as described. hollow to receive therein a spindle 5 con 90 Other features of my invention will be herenected to a disk or wheel a on the stem 0 0E inafter described in the specification and par-- a screw-valve c in the gas-pipe 0 between the ticularly pointed out in the claims. main and the pipes in the building.

Figurel represents in elevation, and broken The motor I) is supported in a hearing If, out to save space, one embodiment of my and when water passes through the pipe athe 5 invention in connection with an automatic said motor will be turned in the direction of sprinkler system. Fig.2isavertical sectional arrow 25, Fig. 2, rotating by means of a slotview of the motor on a larger scale; and Fig. 3, and-pin connection the spindle b and valvealso on a larger scale, shows a different form stem 0', the valve 0 being screwed down upon of motor. its seat thereby, the slot 3 permitting the lon 100 I have shown in Fig. 1 the cut-ofE-actuating gitudinal outward movement of the spindle device cooperatively connected with the conprovided with an engaging-pin 4t.

A locking device, shown as a lever d pivoted at d, normally engages and holds the actuator or controlling lever a against the action of spring 8, the locking-lever having pivoted thereto a slide-rod d movable in guides 01 and offset at its lower end, as at 61 to project under the edge of the disk or wheel 0.

Supposing now that the parts are, as shown in Fig. 1, in normal inoperative position, and that for any reason water has been admitted to the valve-casing A. The water rushes through pipe a, past the open valve a, and out at the open end a of said pipe, operating the motor I), which shuts the valve 0 of the gas pipe 0, thereby cutting off the gas from the building. The descent of the disk 0 draws the rod d in the direction of arrow 30, thereby withdrawing the locking-lever d from engagement with and releasing the actuator-lever a Immediately upon its'release the said lever a is thrown by the spring sinto dotted-line position, Fig. 1, cutting out the electric current by means of switch S, and also closing the shut-off valve a to stop the flow of water through the pipe 00 just as soon as the motor has performed its work. After the sprinkler system has been reset the parts of the cutoff-actuating device are broughtback to normal position, the locking device d again engaging the actuator-lever a, and the valve 0 is opened, so that the disk 0 willbe in the position shown in Fig. 1.

Instead of the actuator shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I may connect the pipe a with a cylinder f, having a piston f therein (see dotted lines) and shown as secured to the gas-pipe O by brackets f The piston-rodf is secured to or forms a continuation of the valve-stem g, and has thereon a tripping-collarffl adapted in its descent to bear upon the arm h of a locking-lever h and turn the latter on its pivot to release the controlling-lever it which will immediately be thrown by spring 8' and through link a operate the cut-off-actuating devices described.

Should it be desired to connect my invention with a building equipped with the usual water-pipe system only, I may connect the pipe (1 directly to the main supply-pipe and interpose a valve between the supply-pipe and the motor. Said valve can be made accessible from the street, and preferably it would be protected by a box having a glass door, to be broken in case it was desired to operate the valve, simple opening of the same enabling the cut-off-actuating devices to operate as hereinbefore described.

My invention is not restricted to any particular form of motor for the mechanism, nor to the intermediate connections between said motor and mechanism, as the same may be varied or rearranged in different particulars without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim- 1. In a cut-off actuating mechanism for building light systems, a main gas valve, a water motor to close it, a supply pipe for the motor having a normally open shut-off there in, a normally locked actuator connected to and to close the shut-off, and means operative by the closure of the gas valve to release said actuator, whereby the shut-off is closed and the motor stopped, substantially as described.

2. In a cut-off actuating mechanism for building light-systems, a main gas valve, a water motor to close it, a supply pipe for the motor having a normally open shut-off therein, an electric switch, a normally locked actuator connected to and to operate said shutoff and switch, and means operative by the closure of the gas valve to release the actuator, whereby the switch is thrown, and the sh ut-off closed to stop the motor, substantially as described.

3. In a cut-off actuating mechanism for building light systems, a main gas valve, a water motor to close it, a supply pipe for the motor having a normally open shut-off, and an electric switch, combined with a spring controlled normally locked actuating lever connected to said shut-off and electric switch, and means to unlock said lever by the closure of the gas valve, whereby the lever is rapidly swung to instantly throw the switch and close the shut-off, substantially as described.

4. In a cut-off actuating mechanism for building light systems, a main gas valve, a water motor to close it, a supply pipe connecting said motor with the controlling valve of a drypipesprinkler systern,andanormally open sh ut-off in said supply pipe, a normally locked actuator for the shut-off, and means operated by closure of the gas valve to release the actuator and close the shut-off, the sprinkler controlling valve automatically supplying the motor with water, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK w. oorToN.

Witnesses:

J OHN O. EDWARDS, AUGUSTA E. DEAN.

IIO 

